I withheld commenting on here, or anywhere for that matter, when Prince passed because it felt like a very personal thing for me and I wanted to deal with it in my own way.

But now that John Blackwell has passed, I figured I would share a story that involved the both of them.

It was back in 2002 when I saw Prince for the first time, and what also turned out to be my favourite time, on his one nite alone tour. It was shortly after the release of TRC, as many have acknowledged Prince had stretched his musical chops a lot during this time, and Blackwell played a big role in the production of that album, and perhaps his last "masterpiece", and most personal album.

Anyway, brother-in-law was part of the music club, we had such amazing seats, in the orchestra pit, so close, they told us "mind the guitars", which we literally almost tripped over. Enjoyed the amazing show with Prince a foot away from us, enjoying the show with his instrument tech who was tuning and passing the instruments out throughout the show. During Family Name, Prince asked my name, so that he could "change" it, as part of the song. Grabbed my hand when telling me the name change. Amazing show and crazy experience for a 19 year old who idolized Prince for many years. The first time in my life I got to meet one of my heroes.

Anyway, after the show, we are recovering from it all, the place is mostly emptied, we're watching them take down the equipment and stuff. John Blackwell came to us remaining in the orchestra pit, and handed out a couple sets of drumsticks. He offered me a pair, and I reached for it, but a taller guy rudely grabbed at them first. He actually lifted them out of the way, and gave me another chance to have them, but the other guy managed to snatch them the second time around. John looked quite annoyed by this, then he went over to Prince's mic stand, grabbed a guitar pick with "Prince" emblazoned on it, and gave that to me. That remains in my box set of ONA Live to this day.

It was a really nice gesture. He was an amazing drummer, and a huge part of Prince's sound during that era.

I saw him and Renato a second time, at the Rio in Vegas in 2007, sitting at a bar after a show finished. I wanted to go up to them and thank them for the show, but I was a little shy and felt they probably didn't want to be bothered. After the fact, I wish I had introduced myself.

Wow,. I never knew you were so young during that era. And I never knew that the ONA tour was your first show. For some strange reason I always thought you´d been a fan since the mid 80s.

Good to see you around here again....long time no see.

Great little story, too.

-

savoirfaire said:

I withheld commenting on here, or anywhere for that matter, when Prince passed because it felt like a very personal thing for me and I wanted to deal with it in my own way.

But now that John Blackwell has passed, I figured I would share a story that involved the both of them.

It was back in 2002 when I saw Prince for the first time, and what also turned out to be my favourite time, on his one nite alone tour. It was shortly after the release of TRC, as many have acknowledged Prince had stretched his musical chops a lot during this time, and Blackwell played a big role in the production of that album, and perhaps his last "masterpiece", and most personal album.

Anyway, brother-in-law was part of the music club, we had such amazing seats, in the orchestra pit, so close, they told us "mind the guitars", which we literally almost tripped over. Enjoyed the amazing show with Prince a foot away from us, enjoying the show with his instrument tech who was tuning and passing the instruments out throughout the show. During Family Name, Prince asked my name, so that he could "change" it, as part of the song. Grabbed my hand when telling me the name change. Amazing show and crazy experience for a 19 year old who idolized Prince for many years. The first time in my life I got to meet one of my heroes.

Anyway, after the show, we are recovering from it all, the place is mostly emptied, we're watching them take down the equipment and stuff. John Blackwell came to us remaining in the orchestra pit, and handed out a couple sets of drumsticks. He offered me a pair, and I reached for it, but a taller guy rudely grabbed at them first. He actually lifted them out of the way, and gave me another chance to have them, but the other guy managed to snatch them the second time around. John looked quite annoyed by this, then he went over to Prince's mic stand, grabbed a guitar pick with "Prince" emblazoned on it, and gave that to me. That remains in my box set of ONA Live to this day.

It was a really nice gesture. He was an amazing drummer, and a huge part of Prince's sound during that era.

I saw him and Renato a second time, at the Rio in Vegas in 2007, sitting at a bar after a show finished. I wanted to go up to them and thank them for the show, but I was a little shy and felt they probably didn't want to be bothered. After the fact, I wish I had introduced myself.

RIP Mr. Blackwell.

" I´d rather be a stank ass hoe because I´m not stupid. Oh my goodness! I got more drugs! I´m always funny dude...I´m hilarious! Are we gonna smoke?"

I withheld commenting on here, or anywhere for that matter, when Prince passed because it felt like a very personal thing for me and I wanted to deal with it in my own way.

But now that John Blackwell has passed, I figured I would share a story that involved the both of them.

It was back in 2002 when I saw Prince for the first time, and what also turned out to be my favourite time, on his one nite alone tour. It was shortly after the release of TRC, as many have acknowledged Prince had stretched his musical chops a lot during this time, and Blackwell played a big role in the production of that album, and perhaps his last "masterpiece", and most personal album.

Anyway, brother-in-law was part of the music club, we had such amazing seats, in the orchestra pit, so close, they told us "mind the guitars", which we literally almost tripped over. Enjoyed the amazing show with Prince a foot away from us, enjoying the show with his instrument tech who was tuning and passing the instruments out throughout the show. During Family Name, Prince asked my name, so that he could "change" it, as part of the song. Grabbed my hand when telling me the name change. Amazing show and crazy experience for a 19 year old who idolized Prince for many years. The first time in my life I got to meet one of my heroes.

Anyway, after the show, we are recovering from it all, the place is mostly emptied, we're watching them take down the equipment and stuff. John Blackwell came to us remaining in the orchestra pit, and handed out a couple sets of drumsticks. He offered me a pair, and I reached for it, but a taller guy rudely grabbed at them first. He actually lifted them out of the way, and gave me another chance to have them, but the other guy managed to snatch them the second time around. John looked quite annoyed by this, then he went over to Prince's mic stand, grabbed a guitar pick with "Prince" emblazoned on it, and gave that to me. That remains in my box set of ONA Live to this day.

It was a really nice gesture. He was an amazing drummer, and a huge part of Prince's sound during that era.

I saw him and Renato a second time, at the Rio in Vegas in 2007, sitting at a bar after a show finished. I wanted to go up to them and thank them for the show, but I was a little shy and felt they probably didn't want to be bothered. After the fact, I wish I had introduced myself.

RIP Mr. Blackwell.

Thanks very much for sharing your fond recollection of John's kindness to you.

It’s so terribly sad to learn of John’s passing. Those of us who were fortunate enough to have been blessed with the opportunity to hear John playing live with Prince during the ONA and Musicology tours can attest to his admirable skills as a fantastic, dynamic drummer. I am very grateful for the few occasions I was able to see John play live; no doubt he has left so many of us here on the Org with very happy memories of those concerts.

However, perhaps more significant to me than his considerable musical prowess, John also came across as a really good-natured and kind-hearted soul. This impression has been confirmed by the tributes to John online from his peers that show how dearly he is loved, and that he will be sorely missed by friends, colleagues and fans alike. Their words of admiration and affection are a great testament to John both as an excellent musician and as man of good character.

My heart goes out to his wife and family, and my thoughts and prayers are with them. May our merciful Creator bless John’s loved ones, and quiet their hurting hearts through His boundless love. I hope and pray that throughout this trying time they may know & experience that their heavenly Father is indeed their refuge, and take comfort from knowing that underneath are His everlasting arms to support them with His steadfast love (as the Lord Jesus himself has assured us in the beatitudes ‘blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted’).

My brother played with him all the time in Columbia, SC back in the day. This was before Blackwellwent to go play with Prince. I remember seeing him on drums once at a spot in Five Points and hewas killin' it.

That was a nice tribute to him. I attended his drum clinics in Sydney as well and I met him a couple of times afterwards. He was definitely a great guy. Very humble as everybody has said. Sad to hear of his passing.

Considering Mr Blackwell's health issues, his death doesn't come as a complete surprise. But it still hurts. I hope and pray that both he and Prince are in a better place. Together.

May they both rest in peace.

Always loved those pictures.

.

That was beautiful what you said. I was hoping he would recover, but it's a sad thought to think that if he did, he would not have been able to play the drums anymore, and what kind of life would that be for him, ya know? He's in heaven with his brother, Prince now. So sad, but we must take comfort in knowing that they are both in God's hands now.

"With love, honor, and respect for every living thing in the universe, separation ceases, and we all become one being, singing one song." - Prince Roger Nelson (1958-2016)

I am so sad to hear this. I remember seeing him up close at the five Musicology concerts I went to back in 2004. I had front row seats, and at one concert I was sitting about 10 feet from his drums, ans he was simply mesmerizing playing those drums. It was fascinating to see how he would twirl those drumsticks like batons while he was playing. My thoughts and with his family. May he rest in peace.

This is sad. Way to young to die. During a visit to Paisley Park I had the pleasure of meeting both John and his then wife Joann and little Jia before her passing. John was very kind and Jia was a doll. Too young, too soon, both.

I withheld commenting on here, or anywhere for that matter, when Prince passed because it felt like a very personal thing for me and I wanted to deal with it in my own way.

But now that John Blackwell has passed, I figured I would share a story that involved the both of them.

It was back in 2002 when I saw Prince for the first time, and what also turned out to be my favourite time, on his one nite alone tour. It was shortly after the release of TRC, as many have acknowledged Prince had stretched his musical chops a lot during this time, and Blackwell played a big role in the production of that album, and perhaps his last "masterpiece", and most personal album.

Anyway, brother-in-law was part of the music club, we had such amazing seats, in the orchestra pit, so close, they told us "mind the guitars", which we literally almost tripped over. Enjoyed the amazing show with Prince a foot away from us, enjoying the show with his instrument tech who was tuning and passing the instruments out throughout the show. During Family Name, Prince asked my name, so that he could "change" it, as part of the song. Grabbed my hand when telling me the name change. Amazing show and crazy experience for a 19 year old who idolized Prince for many years. The first time in my life I got to meet one of my heroes.

Anyway, after the show, we are recovering from it all, the place is mostly emptied, we're watching them take down the equipment and stuff. John Blackwell came to us remaining in the orchestra pit, and handed out a couple sets of drumsticks. He offered me a pair, and I reached for it, but a taller guy rudely grabbed at them first. He actually lifted them out of the way, and gave me another chance to have them, but the other guy managed to snatch them the second time around. John looked quite annoyed by this, then he went over to Prince's mic stand, grabbed a guitar pick with "Prince" emblazoned on it, and gave that to me. That remains in my box set of ONA Live to this day.

It was a really nice gesture. He was an amazing drummer, and a huge part of Prince's sound during that era.

I saw him and Renato a second time, at the Rio in Vegas in 2007, sitting at a bar after a show finished. I wanted to go up to them and thank them for the show, but I was a little shy and felt they probably didn't want to be bothered. After the fact, I wish I had introduced myself.